NOTES: Awake to Wonder, Part 3

Awake to Wonder 3: Your Prayers Before God

Date; Sunday February 26, 2023

Text: Rev. 5:1-14

Revelation 5:1-14 “Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” 3 And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, 4 and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. 5 And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.” 6 And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7 And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. 8 And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.

9 And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, 10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.” 11 Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” 13 And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” 14 And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped.

Let’s Connect:

Our question today is: How, as followers of Christ, are we part of God’s plan for total justice and the redemption of humanity and all creation?

Text Explained:

The (sealed) scroll:

John’s “emotional” response:

The One who is worthy to open and break the seals:

The incense & prayers of the saints:

The New Song:

This scene’s culmination (Rev. 8:1-5)

Let’s Relate:

How, as followers of Christ, are we part of God’s plan for total justice and the redemption of humanity and all creation?

God-exalting prayers are never wasted.

• He makes all things right in the end.

• Nothing will stop God’s plan.

• His kingdom is and does come!

• We reign and rule with him as a kingdom and priests.

We trust God with full assurance.

Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen”

Job 42:2 (ESV)

2 “I know that you can do all things,

and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.

Let’s Be Challenged:

Let’s be forever a “house of prayer” that believes for His Kingdom to come and His will be done.